The first in the family

The stories of first-generation students at USD

RACHEL CEPE / CONTRIBUTOR / THE USD VISTA

Most USD students follow a lineage of parents and relatives who have a college degree to their name. They have the opportunity to ask their parents about their experiences in college, whether that be with what classes they took or what extracurricular activities they participated in. However, first-generation students do not have the luxury of having the same opportunities as most USD students, making their college experiences a fully independent endeavor. 

First-generation college students are students whose parents did not finish a four-year college education or even obtain a degree. Once these students graduate, they will be the first in their families to achieve a higher-level education. According to the Hughes Administration Center, USD accepted 228 first-generation students as first-years in the Fall of 2021. These first-year students join all the other first-generation students already on campus in hopes of succeeding in and out of the classroom.

Being the first in his family to attend college, first-year Brandon Griffin explained some of the difficulties he faced even before the school year began.

“The main difficulty was figuring out financial aid and figuring out the package,” Griffin said. “This was the first time in my family anyone has seen a financial aid packet.”

Griffin described himself as the “guinea pig” of the family, meaning he had to go the extra step to find guidance in the college enrollment process since his family had no prior experience. Griffin found it difficult to curate his schedule, considering how different a high school schedule is from a college one. 

However, through this experience, Griffin learned to never be afraid of asking questions. He received abundant help and advice from his friends and campus resources, such as the Commuter Commons, which is a space just for commuter students to connect with each other and commuter assistants. 

“They are very supportive, meaning that if I ever have an issue or have a question, I can go to anyone in that room, and they will always help me no matter what,” Griffin said. 

USD sophomore Naliyah Edwards is a proud first-generation student with many self-established accomplishments.  Edwards is involved in multiple clubs and is a member of a business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, which has helped her connect with many upperclassmen and professors. 

The bonds developed through these organizations have helped supplement the lack of guidance she receives from her parents when it comes to the college experience.Edwards’ passion and dedication helped her become deeply rooted in the USD community, as she tries to make her time as a college student fulfilling.

“It is about getting good grades and doing schoolwork, but it is so much more than that,” Edwards said. “It is the networking opportunities, the different perspectives you get to learn, the different friends you get to make, even the different study places you can study on campus that other people don’t have.”

Campus resources such as the Student Support Services helped Edwards not only get in touch with other first-generation students and students of color, but also provided tips for navigating the various struggles she faces. 

USD senior Tori Nguyen —  the eldest daughter and cousin of her family —  expressed her desire to help pave the way for her family as a first-generation college student. However, with this desire comes a tremendous amount of pressure and a mountain of expectations. 

“It’s not only my dreams I’m trying to achieve but it’s also my parents’ dreams they never got to achieve,” Nguyen said. “Coming to college, I feel like I have to honor the sacrifice that they’ve made by putting forward what they want for me in life, but at the same time, it comes at a conflict because the life I want to live is not the life they want me to live.” 

Nguyen overcame these challenges by learning how to put herself first. Despite some conflicting views, she knows her parents will come to accept the life she chooses to live. 

Nguyen has hopes of continuing her educational journey as a graduate student. With the help of the Ivory Bridges scholarship Nguyen earned (a scholarship dedicated to rising seniors), the path to graduate school is much clearer.

First-generation students like Griffin, Edwards, and Nguyen not only leave a huge impact on their families, but on USD too. 

They bring unique perspectives and experiences that foster a more inclusive environment for all current and future students.  First-generation students carry a vast weight on their shoulders, and their strength to persevere and triumph through the challenges of their background should not go unnoticed.